Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - II. The Russian revolution: its causes and effects
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
8 PROBLEMS CONFRONTING RUSSIA
considering any form of government as constantly subject
to alterations and improvements by violent acts generated
in a sphere outside the existing State constitution. When
in critical times the temper of a nation reaches the pitch of
impatience, which the ordinary means of progress provided
by the State can no longer satisfy, a spontaneous eruption
becomes inevitable.
Revolution must, therefore, be recognised as a factor
which in itself is constantly present, but only appears
actively under certain conditions, in the same way as a
latent fever only breaks out when the body grows weak,
and cannot perform its organic duties satisfactorily.
Of course no one would care to advocate the cause of
revolution as a principle. It is an ultima ratio—an extreme
course, which attains its ends, but often leads to excesses
and also brings in its train severe hardships for the individual,
loss of property, and even death. But such paroxysms of
the people’s power cannot be measured by the sufferings
of the individual, but must be rightly considered from the
point of view of the public weal.
It is fatal for any ruler of a State to get out of touch
with the temper of the nation over which he rules, and it
is doubly so if this happens at a time of great national
calamity, such, for instance, as a war which endangers the
safety and existence of the State. Already, in 1905, at
the time of the Japanese War, the temper of the Russian
nation made itself felt and demonstrated a strong disapproval
of its rulers. The Japanese War, as is known by every one,
was an unnecessary war, provoked by a clique of courtiers
who hoped to profit by it. The nation from the very
beginning did not understand it, and when disaster was the
result, a great wave of discontent passed over the whole
country. It was a bitter trial for a nation of such vast
proportions and such great resources to be beaten by a
small country like Japan, and it became apparent to every
one that incapacity, disorganisation, and corruption were
responsible for it. But when the supreme effort for victory
was made, and half a million Russian soldiers, well fitted
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
